Getting It Right

I was writing another article when I remembered a funny movie called Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray. It's been around for awhile and many people have seen it. But, I still enjoy watching it, usually once a year around February 2nd. I missed it this year probably because I'm not crazy about man-made festivals, even though it's not a big hoopla except maybe in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. However, this movie has a special meaning to me that I would like to share. Even though it's an old movie, the truth in it remains.

It was about fifteen years ago and I was asleep. I was awakened by someone or something shaking my foot. I looked around but didn't see anything. Then I noticed the clock read 2:02, and went back to sleep not thinking too much more about it. However, the next night I was awakened again in the same manner; I looked at the clock, it read 2:02 again. I thought to myself this is strange. What did 2:02 mean? was God trying to tell me something? Maybe it was a verse in the Bible; but what book? Or was it a month and a day? But, it was already the last of February, however I still wondered if 2:02 had to do with Groundhog Day, which I thought was on the second. So I got up and went to the kitchen to look at the calender; I saw the space of the 2nd and looked down in the lower corner. There was nothing there, so I headed back to bed; then I felt that I was to go back and look again. I did, but this time I noticed in the upper corner in small print, Groundhog Day. (Remember, I was sleepy.) Okay God, I'm tired and it's Groundhog Day; what about it? I looked out the window and there was still snow on the ground—which is nothing new for Cle Elum, where there is usually some snow on the ground for three months in the winter. Did it mean six more weeks of winter? February 2nd had already passed, but I still felt it had to do with that name. Then I remembered the movie, Groundhog Day, that we had purchased a year before. I decided to see it again in the morning. So I went back to bed and fell asleep trying to remember what the movie was about.

The next day after I saw the movie, I realized why God wanted me to see it. For some time, I had been doing and saying things to get my family to follow me with Christian principles, but I had either tried to force my wife and daughter to go along or I criticized or gave looks of disapproval when they didn't follow, giving them a feeling of a holier than thou attitude. They were not happy, and especially not happy with me. But, somehow I felt justified. I was definitely not demonstrating Christ's love, patience, encouragement and appreciation. And that was not pleasing to God; nor was I going anywhere until I got it right.

So I asked my family to watch the movie with me. The movie was about a weatherman who had an attitude of feeling he was better than everyone else. He ended up getting stuck in a time warp on the worst day in his life, Feb. 2nd, Groundhog Day, repeating the same day over and over again along with the same mistakes, attitudes, and the misusing of people. After numerous miserable repeated days and inability to kill himself, he eventually began to see that he was the problem. He realized he needed to change and everyone would be happier, including himself. He started to demonstrate true appreciation, love and kindness to others regardless of their lifestyle. He also showed interest in other people's needs, including one old beggar. In the end he finally woke up on a new day, because he finally got it right.

After the movie I asked, my wife and daughter what they thought of the main character. They thought he was a jerk in the beginning. I agreed with them and then added, I too have been a jerk just like him. Then I made a sincere apology for my attitude and behavior lately, asking for their forgiveness. They were surprised by my confession and then forgave me. We were all happy again. From then on I tried to let them do their thing and I did mine, but without the bad attitude.

The next day I felt that things weren't over regarding 2:02. I felt I was to share this lesson with my friends in Longview, Washington, that we're not going anywhere until we get it right. (But My mind still had not grasped the whole meaning. I was still thinking in terms of doing the right things.) However, I didn't want to do this unless it was God's will. So I asked God if I was to speak, then He would needed to wake me up at 2:02 again. That night I woke up, but this time a voice in my mind urgently demanded, "Look at the clock!" When I did so, it was 2:02. Well that answered that question!

A couple weeks later I was in Longview sharing the 2:02 experience and the movie. When I was through someone asked me what I thought it meant. I told them that we're not going anywhere until we got it right. I then started to bring up some Christian principles; some agreed but something was still missing—the true message. Then someone added, "we need to love," and I agreed.

I enjoyed my visit, but it wasn't until a few weeks after I left Longview that the full message began to sink into my thick head. This would be a life long project. It isn't about principles at all, but about allowing Christ's love to flow through me and us daily, regardless of what others say or do, even if people don't conform to what I do or believe. I am to love them unconditionally (every time I see 2:02 on a clock I'm reminded to love), just as Christ loves me. It's a lesson we all need to learn.

P.S. I just watched the movie again with my wife. We both enjoyed it. Maybe you should see it too if you haven't (or perhaps see it again). You'll notice the clock is used to get your attention, it is also the turning point in the movie. Time is running out for many to get it right.